Prosecutors Seek Seven Years for Norway Crown Princess's Son

Prosecutors in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, have requested a jail term of seven years and seven months, arguing he should be found guilty of 39 of the 40 charges against him. The 29-year-old denies four counts of rape but has admitted to lesser offences.

The trial, which began in early February and concluded its evidence phase this week, has been a major media event in Norway. Høiby's defence maintains that he had consensual sex with all four women before the alleged rapes took place. The three judges are now considering their verdicts, a process that could take several months.

Prosecutors recommended specific sentences for each rape charge, noting that the women were either asleep or incapacitated during the incidents. Police found videos taken of the women without consent in three of the cases, which has become a significant element of the trial. The prosecution also requested additional penalties, including a two-year ban on contacting one victim and confiscation of several electronic devices.

The trial has coincided with scrutiny over Crown Princess Mette-Marit's contacts with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, further impacting the royal family's popularity. Høiby expressed distress over media coverage, stating he felt like 'a monster' due to public hatred. The lead prosecutor emphasized that Høiby should be judged for his actions, not his identity.

During the trial, several alleged victims testified, including Høiby’s former partner, influencer and reality TV star Nora Haukland. The case has attracted considerable domestic and international media attention amid an unprecedented crisis for Norway's royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has faced growing pressure to explain her links with Jeffrey Epstein after emails were published in January by the US justice department.